Machine Party v2.0

Machine Party v2.0 shipped on August 12, 2026, adding the local co-op and couch multiplayer that players requested most after the July 30 launch. The update arrived ahead of the original late-August schedule that developers set at launch. The same day, Oro Interactive and the developers announced that Machine Party had crossed 1,000,000 copies sold.

This page documents what v2.0 added, how the Local menu works, and what players should know before their first shared-screen session.

What v2.0 added

Native couch co-op / local multiplayer is the headline feature. From the main menu, selecting Local opens a lobby for up to four players on one screen — no 18-digit room codes, no separate Steam accounts, no internet connection required. The Local menu supports three session types:

• Original — the standard fixed-order fifteen-minigame run with intro and outro segments
• Custom — host picks individual minigames or a custom playlist; Shuffle option added in v2.1.1
• Arcade — ten random simulations with random rounds; intro and outro removed

The v2.0 announcement described simulation-specific split-screen and shared-screen changes, controller setup for the local lobby, and confirmed that the local update was already working ahead of the late-August target.

Local menu flow

1. Launch Machine Party and select Local from the main menu.
2. Connect up to four controllers to the host PC. One keyboard can also join alongside controllers.
3. Each controller fills a player slot. Confirm all slots before launching.
4. Choose Original, Custom, or Arcade.
5. Start the session.

The lobby flow differs from online: there is no room code generation, no Steam invite step, and no host/join asymmetry. All four players sit at the same machine.

Controller and input notes

Full controller support carries over from online play. The Local menu accepts multiple pads simultaneously. For binding guidance, see controller support. For mixed keyboard + controller setups, the Local menu supports one keyboard alongside up to three gamepads.

What did not change in v2.0

• The player cap remains 4. Local co-op does not enable five or more players on one screen.
• No public matchmaking was added. The developers confirmed in v1.5 that in-game public matchmaking does not fit the friends-first design.
• No bots were added to fill empty slots.
• Online co-op (18-digit room codes) remains the way to play with friends on separate PCs.

Relationship to earlier patches

v2.0 built on top of v1.5 (Arcade mode, Godot 4.5.2, Direct3D 12 launch option) and v1.0.7 (translation credit fixes). Players on older builds can still join online lobbies with others on the same version, but the Local menu and its controller handling only shipped in v2.0.

Achievement note for local players

If you played locally on August 12 without updating to the subsequent v2.1.1 patch, achievements may not have saved correctly. v2.1.1 (August 13) fixed the achievement registration bug in Local mode. Always update to the latest build before hosting a session where you want achievements to count.

First shared-screen session tips

• Update all controllers and confirm pads are recognized before starting.
• Agree on sabotage house rules — couch play makes real-time interference more visible and more fun.
• Use the Local menu rather than online if everyone is in the same room.
• For quick sessions, choose Arcade (10 random simulations) instead of the full fifteen-minigame run.

Related pages

• Local co-op guide — full setup and etiquette
• Updates hub — patch tracking
• Launch notes — day-one facts
• Arcade mode — quick 10-simulation sessions
• Patch v2.1.1 — Shuffle and local fixes
• Patch v2.1.2 — hotfix details

FAQ

When did couch co-op for Machine Party release? August 12, 2026 as part of v2.0 — ahead of the original late-August schedule.

How many players does local co-op support? Up to 4 players on one screen via the Local menu.

What modes are available in Local? Original (15 fixed-order minigames), Custom (host picks, with Shuffle added in v2.1.1), and Arcade (10 random simulations).

Do achievements work in local co-op? They required the v2.1.1 patch to register correctly. Update before hosting a session where you want achievements to count.

Is public matchmaking available now? No. The developers confirmed in v1.5 that public matchmaking does not fit the friends-first design of Machine Party.